Omnimaga
General Discussion => Other Discussions => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Ranman on September 29, 2010, 10:20:06 pm
-
I tell you... I am falling apart.
I just had an MRI today. The diagnosis is a cervical herniated disc.
What's next? ??? :'(
-
:'(
I hope everything works out for you. :(
-
I'm sorry :( You need to live in like a bubble or something :P
-
Darn what is happening? x.x
I hope things will get better soon. Do you know what would have caused that?
-
wow, that sucks
the only other person i've seen that happen to was my grandmother
good luck with life
-
I have been referred to a neurosurgeon. I'm still waiting for an appointment -- first come first serve. I don't know if they will do surgery or treat me with painkillers or Cortizone shots in my neck.
-
I hope the wait is not too long x.x
I wish you good luck in this :S
-
Pain... I am in so much pain!
I just want to cry. :'( :'( :'(
-
Darn sorry to hear it is getting worse. When are you going to see the doctor by the way? I hope it is nothing involving degeneratory condition/disease or something... although such physical problems normally won't occur until maybe the late 50s or even late 60s.
-
After getting the run around at the Fort Worth Brain & Spine Institute... I am finally seeing a neurosurgeon tomorrow at 11am.
This ruptured disc in my neck is the result of an injury about 2 years ago. The disc has been bulging ever since the injury, and it finally ruptured recently.
Yes... the pain is getting worse everyday. :'(
-
Ah ok, good to hear you're seeing someone tomorrow. I hope the pain doesn't get like 10x worse by then. And I see, I hope they can do something to make sure you have much less pain in the future and that it won't happen on a regular basis in the future.
-
I had my initial visit with a doctor at the Spine Institute today. He said 95% of the patients do not need surgery. However, after looking at my MRI, he believes I may be in the 5% that will need surgery. :(
He put me on some serious pain medication, steroids, and a nerve protector. He is referring me to a spinal surgeon -- I will see him on Monday. This surgeon will decide if I need to have my herniated disc removed and the vertebrae fused together. To perform the surgery, they will cut a hole in the front of my neck -- sounds scary.
Here is a link to the type of surgery (called Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion) I may end up having:
http://www.spineteamtexas.com/ViewMedica.aspx?section=000101antcervdisc (http://www.spineteamtexas.com/ViewMedica.aspx?section=000101antcervdisc)
-
Ouch. :(
I hope everything works out for you. :(
-
Ouch that sounds painful, but medical science has advanced a lot now so I think you will be fine. Best wishes.
-
:( I feel for you man (not that i can even begin to comprehend the pain you are going through) good luck!
-
Darn I watched the animation and it seems a bit scary, although I am sure it will be fine. I wonder afterward, though: does it means it will be slightly more difficult to turn your head or something, since two bones are merged together? I never heard of that surgery so I'm not sure. In any case, what counts is that you do not suffer anymore, though.
-
I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon tomorrow (Moday Oct 12th).
Wish me luck!
-
Good luck Ranman and let's hope your pain goes away afterward for the most part
-
Well... crap... it is official.
I will have neck surgery this Thursday (Oct 14th). The doctor said that I am already experiencing symptoms of nerve damage -- a noticeable decrease in strength in my left arm and hand. As I suspected, he will remove the entire disc and fuse the two cervical vertebrae together -- it is the only realistic option for me. I'll be off work for 3 to 4 weeks.
I can't believe this is happening to me. :( :( :(
-
:(
I hope everything works out for you, Ranman. I hope you have a quick recovery!
-
Same as apcalc. Good Luck!
at least you get off work. :P
btw, will you gain your stregnth back in your arm? :(
-
Sorry to hear, hope it all goes well...
-
Thanks guys... The doc said the pain would go away immediately. The strength and numbness in my arm will return to normal over a longer period of time.
-
AH ok. Can there be side effects after the surgery?
-
Okay... so here's my latest update...
Met with my neurosurgeon yesterday. He performed some strength tests and discovered my strength in my left arm and hand have diminished significantly -- possibly implying nerve damage. So, he scheduled me for surgery Thursday Oct 14th (2 days from now). He will be performing the discectomy and fusion of my vertebrae as I thought would be the case due to the size and location of the rupture. I was hoping for something a little bit less invasive. But there was not many options left for me in my condition.
Total cost of the surgery appears to be around $33000 of which I will pay $2500 -- thankful for insurance.
I will be out of work for 3 to 4 weeks with a full recovery requiring 6 weeks.
And... yes... I am a little scared about this surgery (who wouldn't be?). But if it takes my pain away for good then it is worth it.
-
D:
"a metal plate"
that.. made me shudder
good luck ;.;
-
"a metal plate"
that.. made me shudder
Yes... a metal plate along with cement and cadaver bone between the two vertebrae.
Dead man walking.
-
"a metal plate"
that.. made me shudder
Yes... a metal plate along with cement and cadaver bone between the two vertebrae.
Dead man walking.
Nah, just severely-injured-on-verge-of-death man walking :P
But I hope it all goes well and that this will be the last thing.
-
Ugh, I am kinda happy I live in Quebec/Canada... maybe we have high taxes but at least low revenue people like me can afford insurances and/or health care, since it's cheap and sometimes even free. Anyway I hope it helps you a lot
-
I'm going under the knife in 2 hours. Wish me luck.
What did I get myself in to?
-
X.x good luck :S
-
Well... The surgery is complete. I had to stay overnight for monitoring but I am back home now.
The disc between my C5 & C6 neck vertebrae has been completely removed. The doctor said the rupture was a "monster" -- I am thankful it is gone. It was replaced by a cadaver bone to maintain proper spacing as well as for promoting the fusion process. The doctor said it would take between 6 and 12 months for the fusion of the two vertebrae to complete. Until that time, I have a metal plate holding these two vertebrae together. I will start physical therapy in 2 weeks and that should last for 4 weeks.
My neck, shoulder, and arm pain is completely gone -- praise God. I have about a one inch incision on the front of my neck that I will have to take care of until it heals. I have a sore throat that will persist for about 1 week. Hiccups, coughing, and swallowing food are very painful things for me to do right now. For the next 2 weeks I am required to wear a neck brace when traveling in a vehicle. I don't have to wear the neck brace around the house except for comfort purposes.
Since I have a dead man's bone in my neck... I like to joke that I am a "dead man walking." :D
-
I am glad things are going better now. No more pain at least.
-
Don't worry Ranman, you'll be fine
good that the surgery was successful
-
Glad to hear the surgery was successful, Ranman! :)
I hope you have a quick recovery!
-
Hoping for a quick recovery! Man you could watch so many hours of anime while recovering...
Oh wait, do you watch anime? I hope you have something that you like to do that you can. Good luck!
-
As long as it is not anime that Geno watches sometimes, otherwise his wife will not be happy ;D
-
Well... I got the bill from the doctor; and the damage is:
-
Wow, good luck with that...
Glad you're feeling better though :)
-
Well... I got the bill from the doctor; and the damage is:
:o :o :o :o
Good to know everything is over with, and that your getting better. :)
-
Ouch...Hope your insurance will help pay for some of that.
-
Ouch...Hope your insurance will help pay for some of that.
I have to pay $1500.
And yes... I am getting better. It is still hard to swallow some foods and it hurts to cough. I start physical therapy this week.
-
well, let's just hope that it is the end of your problems. ;-)
-
Holy crap... I feel bad for those who can barely afford that. X.x If I lived in USA and something happened to me, I worry about how I would get through it with like $1000 a month...
-
Holy crap... I feel bad for those who can barely afford that. X.x If I lived in USA and something happened to me, I worry about how I would get through it with like $1000 a month...
Well... Necessary medical care is not denied to anybody in the United States -- regardless if you can pay or not. And hospitals are more than happy to set up payment plans. If you cannot pay, then the hospital will be out luck in the end.
-
Ah ok that's good to hear at least. It would be kinda cruel otherwise.
Not to turn this into a politic topic, I kinda wish certain things over here like when you want your eyes checked to see if you have some minor viewing troubles were not free, though. Some things aren't as essential and the government could reduce his contribution slightly so in the end he would get more money to offer a better service in the essential stuff.
-
Glad to hear you're making a recovery! Best of luck and take your Valium :)
-
yay ranman you're getting better :D
Best of luck on your recovery!
-
I had a checkup today. Check out my new hardware...
-
New hardware! How much memory does it have? What languages does it support? What games can it play?
Oh wait we are talking about about that kind of hardware. O.O Well anyways I hope all your movement and strength is fully restored now.
-
I assume you'll port Jumpman! :)
I hope you are recovering well from this! :)
-
Did not notice this topic at all >.<
Glad that there was something that could be done though to help ranman :)
Hope you have a speedy recovery, praying for it too.
-
How did I just see this? Glad it went well :)
-
I'm glad it got better Ranman. I was a bit worried a few months ago.
-
That is a sweet picture...I mean I hope everything is still going good with the recovery.
-
I somehow seem to have missed this topic,(shame on me!!!)but I remember you mentioning it in IRC at some point. At any rate, I'm glad
our favourite old guy is alive and kicking still :D you're doing better Ranman! :D
-
My neck, shoulder, and arm pain is completely gone -- praise God. I have about a one inch incision on the front of my neck that I will have to take care of until it heals. I have a sore throat that will persist for about 1 week. Hiccups, coughing, and swallowing food are very painful things for me to do right now. For the next 2 weeks I am required to wear a neck brace when traveling in a vehicle. I don't have to wear the neck brace around the house except for comfort purposes.
Late, but glad you're better! Good luck :D
-
Thanks guys.
Those screws are friggin' HUGE. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that hardware is in my neck.
-
Thanks guys.
Those screws are friggin' HUGE. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that hardware is in my neck.
Well it's a good thing if you don't feel it there ;)
-
If I had to make a guess, is it four screws in your neck?
Ughh, it just sounds painful saying that. :-\ Glad it doesn't bother you anymore.
-
Yeah looking at the pic kinda creeps me out because it seems hurtful. X.x I'm glad it actually helps instead.